Locating Misplaced Bluetooth Devices Using BLE Network Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a simple, low-cost system to locate standard Bluetooth devices that are frequently misplaced in residential or business environments, as existing tracking solutions are often expensive, unsightly, and require subscriptions.
Innovation Solution
A network of low-energy Bluetooth devices is utilized to determine the approximate location of misplaced devices by leveraging pre-existing infrastructure, using digital set-top boxes to measure radio signal strength and employ triangulation based on signal strength measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing tracking solutions (dongles/tags) are used to locate Bluetooth devices, then device location can be determined, but the system becomes expensive and requires paid subscriptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing BLE devices (set-top boxes, digital appliances) serve multiple functions: their original purposes plus device location determination. By enabling these devices to act as both content delivery platforms and tracking infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware and paid subscriptions, resolving the contradiction between location accuracy and system complexity/cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables pre-existing BLE infrastructure to self-serve the additional function of device tracking without requiring external tracking devices or paid services. The set-top boxes and digital appliances use their own BLE capabilities to detect and report the location of misplaced devices, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating subscription requirements
2Measurement precision
If tracking dongles/tags are attached to Bluetooth devices, then device location can be determined, but the tracking device becomes unsightly and larger than the original device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from separate physical tracking devices and integrates it into the existing BLE infrastructure (set-top boxes, digital appliances). By removing the need for dedicated tracking hardware attached to Bluetooth devices, the system eliminates the volume and visual bulk of separate tracking components while maintaining location determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing BLE devices (set-top boxes, digital appliances) serve multiple functions: their original purposes plus device location determination. By enabling these devices to act as both content delivery platforms and tracking infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware and paid subscriptions, resolving the contradiction between location accuracy and system complexity/cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard Bluetooth devices are used everywhere in the environment, then device functionality is maximized, but the probability of misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors and reports the location of Bluetooth devices through a graphical user interface or audible feedback. This allows users to track device positions in real-time, maintaining the flexibility of using Bluetooth devices everywhere while providing the reliability needed to locate misplaced devices through the network of BLE infrastructure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for a consumer-friendly, cost-effective means to locate misplaced Bluetooth devices by using existing BLE infrastructure, providing approximate location information through a graphical user interface or audible feedback.
Implementation Method 1
BLE devices operate at a far lower power level (a BLE transponder can operate for many years on a single battery) and are designed primarily for environments and applications requiring periodic or infrequent communication of limited amounts of data
Implementation Method 2
The network can be constructed from low-energy Bluetooth devices that would otherwise be only periodically active and/or networked for a purpose other than the localization of lost or misplaced devices
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for utilizing a network of Bluetooth devices to determine approximate location of Bluetooth device that was lost or misplaced in vicinity of the network. The network can be constructed from low-energy Bluetooth devices that would otherwise be only periodically active and/or networked for a purpose other than the localization of lost or misplaced devices.